We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly. We support the following browsers:
Windows:Internet Explorer,
Mozilla Firefox,
Google Chrome.
Mac:Safari.

New!Find and book your ideal hotel on TripAdvisor — and get the lowest prices

La Chua trail off of the Hawthorne trail provides a fantastic path into the prairie. We saw herons, egrets, wild horses and some of the biggest alligators I've ever seen (and I've hiked, biked and kayaked in Florida for over 25 years).

My wife and I enjoy the park trails. Old oak trees with moss and ferns. Nice observation tower from which we have seen 16 bison munching grass, other times wild horses, deer, and black hog. Always many birds.

Clean restrooms, great biking trail, wooded campsites giving each campsite privacy. We were in a 40' Motorhome and had no problems getting in or parking. Near numerous things to do. Don't miss the Butterfly Refuge or the museum.

This RV park is close to Gainesville and many local attractions. We visited the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings estate, which is now a State park. The tour of the Rawlings house and grounds was very organized and the tour guides were very knowledgeable, providing a lot of historical information. At Paynes Prairie we stayed in site number 48 (Winnebago, class A...

Did several trials in Paynes Prairie.
In the south, close to visitor centre-beautiful Forrest and lakes. In the north, la chua trail, saw many alligators, birds and wild horses.
Alligators are right next to the path in spring. Truly impressive!!

Most of the campsites are pretty wide with lots of privacy and all are very shaded with trees. Tent campsites have their own section if you wanted it so not next to rvs having to listen to their a/c units etc., although they also allow tents, from what I could tell, at the other sites. Lots of great shaded trails....

On our travel from pensocola beach back to fort myers we decided to stop a night in Gainesville and to visit the park. Great choice, park is great, full of wildlife and nature. We were alone the afternoon in the park on a friday. We saw big spiders, racoons, squirrels and deers. We were at the observation tower, but we...

Although I did not have a chance to spot Bison or wild horses, and it rained the entire weekend, my stay here was wonderful.
There is a lot of walking around and exploring to do. The campsites were great and the bathrooms were clean. I must return to this location so that I can explore much more.

I'm not a camper. I just travel a lot. It's a state park, so it has other things that state parks offer, and then some: birds and wildlife galore. They even have bison and wild horses.
I stop here from time-to-time when driving either or north or south on I-75. Being just south of Gainesville, FL, it's the perfect place...

Great bike riding, great trails, and overall good place to camp or visit. Campsite 28 is the best campsite thats closest to the road and showers. Plenty of space and room to set up camp. The vistor center is a good place to visit and the rangers had a snake slide show presentation that our kids liked.

* TripAdvisor LLC is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site... (more)

We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly. We support the following browsers:
Windows:Internet Explorer,
Mozilla Firefox,
Google Chrome.
Mac:Safari.

TripAdvisor LLC is not responsible for content on external web sites. Taxes, fees not included for deals content.

Welcome back!

Prices may have changed while you were gone. Please refresh the page to see the latest prices for Paynes Prairie State Preserve.

Refresh Prices

PriceFinder is your ultimate hotel booking tool, checking hundreds of sites to help you find the lowest prices.